‘The war is far from over for the 2.3 million inhabitants of Gaza’ says Catholic priest

A CATHOLIC priest in Gaza is pleading for the war to stop as the strip continues to sink into a deeper humanitarian and health crisis.

Gaza’s only Roman Catholic parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about the “very serious” situation caused by dire living conditions and ongoing violence.

Despite the ceasefire called on 10th October 2025, authorities in the Gaza Strip say more than 500 Palestinians have died since then.

Israel Defence Forces have defended military action saying it has been responding to Hamas violations or attacks.

This morning’s renewed strikes on Gaza (4th February 2026) have killed at least 20, most of them women and children, according to hospital officials.

Among the dead were five children, including a 5-month-old and a 10-day-old baby.

Speaking before today’s attacks, Fr Romanelli said: “The war is not over. Some bombing continues notably behind the Yellow Line. Houses have been destroyed, deaths and injuries continue to be recorded.”

The Yellow Line designates the military frontier established at the time of the ceasefire on 10th October 2025.

The line separates the zones controlled by Israel, in the east and the south, from the zone controlled by Hamas in the west.

The latter includes Gaza City where the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church is situated.

Fr Romanelli said thousands of people continue to suffer and there were few signs of hope – with many people living in tents that get drenched when it rains.

Borders have been closed, and the electricity and water infrastructure are in ruins.

Water is poorly treated, badly stored or contaminated during transport and distribution, facilitating the spread of disease.

The parish priest added: “It is absolutely essential that the war stops. It seems that no one in the world is really involving themselves in an effective way.

“The 2.3 million inhabitants of Gaza need at the very least to have the minimum human conditions to rebuild their lives.

By Nathalie Raffray | acnuk